By now, those following Canada and Mexico’s ongoing campaign for fair trade in the North American cattle and beef industry will have seen that the “two amigos” have won yet another battle in the trade dispute with the United States regarding its meat-labeling regulations. On October 20, 2014, a World Trade Organization (WTO) Compliance Panel found that U.S. meat labeling regulations, as set out in its revised Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) measure, violated WTO provisions by according less favourable treatment to Canadian and Mexican livestock than that accorded to “like” U.S. livestock. COOL violated these agreements by detrimentally affecting the competitive opportunities available to imported livestock from both Canada and Mexico. For details see http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds384_e.htm#bkmk384rw. That’s the good news for the Canadian and Mexican cattle industry. What’s not so good is that this is the third time that COOL has been referred to the WTO Dispute Settlement Process and the third time that the U.S. rules have been declared offside. Canada first took the original COOL measures to the WTO in 2008. Since then, there have been a lot of trips back and forth to Geneva, but with each loss, U.S. legislators have actually managed to make the successive “reformed” regulations even more trade restrictive. In fact, the trade dispute over beef, cattle and pork goes back to 2003 when the United States closed the Canada-U.S. border after a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), otherwise known as mad cow disease. Gordon LaFortune, managing partner at Woods, LaFortune LLP, and I represented a group of 109 feedlot operators from Alberta and Saskatchewan in the fight to re-open the trade border. Among other things, we argued that free trade and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) led to a fully integrated North American market and made the border closing both absurd and a violation of the letter and the spirit of free trade. Fortunately, the border was re-opened, but only after a four and a half year batter that represent important economic losses to those in the cattle industry. COOL has now introduced a new attack on the letter and spirit of free trade. While the WTO...
Read MoreCatherine Walsh has joined the Woods, LaFortune LLP team
Michael Woods and Gordon LaFortune are very pleased to announce that Catherine Walsh has joined the Woods, LaFortune LLP team. Catherine is a graduate of both the Faculty of Law (LL.B) and the Telfer School of Management (MBA) at the University of Ottawa and also holds a B.Scs. from that institution. Bringing a strong grounding in international business and law combined with a passion for international trade and investment law, Catherine will assist our clients on a wide range of matters from trade remedies and export controls and sanctions to the promotion, planning, and successful execution of international business ventures Catherine articled at Heenan Blaikie LLP, where she worked on major trade files and gained in-depth experience in areas such as anti-dumping and countervailing duties , investor-state arbitration, international infrastructure (P3s), and economic sanctions. Singled out for her advocacy and networking skills and chosen to work on government affairs files and gain valuable lobbying experience. Prior to beginning her legal career, Catherine served with multinational company as corporate sales executive responsible the management of a large client portfolio. Fully bilingual (French/English), Catherine brings youth and energy to the firm in her role as...
Read MoreWoods, LaFortune discuss 25th Anniversary of Free Trade
I recently heard from a good friend from my days in Canada’s Foreign Service (he is an Ambassador serving in the Asia Pacific region) He told me that he had heard my recent interview on free trade. This made me think that it might be worth sharing. In any event, late last year, my partner Gordon LaFortune and I were interviewed by Jackie Northam of National Public Radio (NPR). Ms. Northam made the trip up to Ottawa from her post in Washington DC to discuss the then upcoming 20th anniversary of the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and to record our views for her “All Things Considered” radio program. As it turned out, it was also the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Canada – U.S. Free Trade Agreement (commonly known as the “FTA”). Gord and I spent a delightful couple of hours with our quest at the Rideau Club looking out at the historic Parliament Buildings against the backdrop of a clear bright wintery day in the nation’s capital. There was plenty to discuss and several great memories. The report is available in both print and audio format, as well as on this website: www.npr.org Ms. Northam also interviewed a number of others and started her report on the difference that free trade agreements had made for one of Canada’s leaders in international business, Bombardier. As she noted, we were there at the “ground floor’’ as trade negotiators for the Government of Canada when our country decided to pursue free trade with our closest neighbours, the US. Gord and I spoke of the “fear of the unknown”, the need to step up and the need to show that we could be competitive. And so, we relived the great national debate with our guest. Now 25 years later, we can reflect on the FTA and NAFTA legacy. Of course the topic of free trade continues to engender much debate. The consideration of how much GDP growth in the “Three Amigos” and the tripling of trade flows in the last two decades being due to NAFTA is a subject for a much more detailed review....
Read MorePaul IA Moen joins Woods, LaFortune LLP
Michael Woods and Gordon LaFortune are very pleased to announce that Mr. Paul IA Moen is now part of the Woods, LaFortune LLP team, joining as counsel. Based in Ottawa, Paul is a corporate lawyer and international business consultant with over 20 years of experience serving businesses and governments on a variety of complex legal, regulatory and public affairs matters. Paul will add greatly to the firm’s reach, depth and expertise. Paul, who retains his position as CEO of MoenGlobal Advisors, brings an impressive global network and senior private sector and government experience. He obtained his BA in political science from the University of British Columbia, a law degree from McGill University and a MA in international affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva. He is a member of the Bar of Ontario, a published author and lecturer, and a board member of the Canadian American Business...
Read MoreWoods, LaFortune LLP Established
Michael Woods and Gordon LaFortune are pleased to announce the formation of Woods, LaFortune LLP, a full service international trade law boutique based in Canada’s national capital, Ottawa. Michael and Gordon are both recognized experts in international trade law. Gordon is listed in Who’s Who Legal 2013 as an expert in procurement law and trade and customs law. Michael is once again ranked in Chambers Global’s in its 2014 listing as a leading international trade lawyer. In June 2013 Michael received the Ontario Bar Association Award of Excellence in International Law. Building on their over 60 years’ experience in all aspects of international trade law, Michael and Gordon established Woods, LaFortune LLP in January 2014. Working through a strong and large network of specialists in international trade and investment in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Woods, LaFortune LLP provides clients with timely, efficient and cost effective strategic advice and representation in all aspects of international trade law ranging from customs, to litigation, to government relations. If you have a trade or investment issue to discuss or opportunity to weigh, you should contact either Michael or Gordon by phone or e-mail for help and guidance. Woods, LaFortune LLP would be please to work with you to address any issues and to resolve them as quickly and efficiently as...
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